Xenial
/ˈzɛniəl/noun
Relating to hospitality between host and guest, especially in a ceremonial or reciprocal sense.
Did you know?In ancient Greek culture, xenia was not casual politeness but a sacred code of guest-friendship under Zeus Xenios, the god who punished hosts who violated hospitality.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
xénos (ξένος)
“stranger, guest, foreigner”
Ancient Greek
Greek
xenía (ξενία)
“guest-friendship; hospitality toward a guest or stranger”
Late Latin
Latin
xenialis
“pertaining to hospitality or guests”
19th Century
English
xenial
“relating to hospitality or guests”
Modern English
English
xenial
“relating to hospitality between host and guest”
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